Lightweight anchor



June 22, 1965 c. M. KEEPERS 3,190,252 I LIGHTWEIGHT ANCHQR Filed Nov. 12, 1963 a a I INVENTOR.

4 7- TO/PNE vs r 3,190,252 LIGHTWEIGHT ANCHOR 1 Charles M. Keepers, 1422 Morrison St., Fremont,

Filed Nov. 12, 1963; Sex-,No. 322,692; r

9 Claims.- (Cl. 114-208) Ohio This invention relates to a lightweight boat anchor of improved and simplified desi i Lightweight, fabricated boat anchors are increasingly popular particularlybecause oftheir lightweight and easy handleability, in combination with effective holding power. For example, an anchor weighing only about twenty pounds is capable of holding a boat up to forty feet in length under normal conditions. Many lightweight anchors of. the type under consideration are now known in the art. However, such anchors tend to be relatively complex, involving too many parts or parts of unduly complicated shape, rendering the anchors more costly than would be otherwise necessary. Some other lightweight anchors now known areof simplified design With a consequent reduction in cost, but the simplification of the anchors has also'jharmed their functionality.

The present invention relates to animproved light: weight anchor of simplified, yet highly functional, design.

The new anchor employs components which can be cut from material of rectangularshape so that maximum use of material is possible. Some components ,of the new anchor also are of identical size and shape so that they can be made with a single jig and with relatively simple tooling. The new anchor also employs fewer parts or components which further reduces the cost of fabrication, requiring fewer welds and less handling. Theanchor acording to the invention also incorporates an improved yoke which provides a better bite or holdingpower for the anchor and yet reduces the chance of fouling and, further, does not tend to catch debris, such as mud and stones. The flukes of the new anchor also provide a faster and more effective bite regardless of which side of the anchor is on the bottom.

- anchor above the bottom to provide a better penetration angle for the flukes 18 and 20.

' Referring now in more detail to the components of the anchor 10, the shank 12 includes a U-shaped rod inember'24 having a U-shaped end 26 and legs 28 which diverge in a direction toward their free ends to provide greater strength for the shank 12. The free ends of thelegs 28 have parallel plates 30 welded thereto, bridging the sides of the legs 28 and spaced apart a distance equal to the diameter of the rod member 24. The plates 30 have aligned openings 32 (FIG. 3) therein to receive the stock 14 with a sufliciently loose fit to enable the shank 12 to pivotally move relative to V the stock 14. By employing the spaced plates 30 for the pivotal connection of the shank 12, it cannot wobble or move transversely to any degree 'on the stock, so that it cannot catch on the flukes 18 and ,20. The plates 30 also provide strength at the lower end of the shank 12 where the greatest bending force exists, particularly when the anchor is broken loose from the bottom.

' The yoke 16 'is made up of only two pieces, these being substantially identical U-shaped members 34 and 36 (FIG. 4) each of which is bent from a rectangular 'piece in a simple jig. Each of the members includes a U-shaped crown portion 38, a long leg 40, and a short leg 42. The long leg 40 has a suitable opening 44 therein It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to provide an improved anchor having the advantagesout lined above.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which; i

FIG. 1 is a View in perspective of a lightweight anchor embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in cross section, on a slightly smaller scale, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, detailed view in perspective of a yoke portion of the anchor of FIG. 1; r

FIG. 4 is a..view in perspective of yoke members constituting the yoke of the anchor; and a i FIG. 5 is a 'view in perspectiveof a rectangular metal plate showing the way inwhi ch the flukes of the anchor are made.

Referring to the drawings,.andn1ore' particularly to FIG. 1, a lightweight anchor embodying the inventioh is indicated by the reference numerallti and includes a 'shank 12, a stock 14, a yoke 16, and flukes 18 and 20.

Theanchor basically functions as other lightweightnavytype anchors in that, when. lying on the bottom withthe shank 12 connectedto an anchor line by a suitable ring 22,'the flukes 18 and 20 dig into the bottom and securely hold the boat when. the anchor is moved by the pull of the boat. The stock 14 tends to keep the anchor properly oriented so that the flukes18'and 20 can engage the bottom while the yoke supports the lower end of the through which the stock 14 extends beyond the shank plates 30. The ends of the long and short legs 40 and 42 meet in abutting relationship to one side of the stock 14 and also spaced from the shank plates 30. The legs 40 and 42 of the U-shaped members 34 and 36 preferably are far enough apart that sufiicient distance exists between them and the shank plates 30 to enable mud and small pebbles to pass between the shank and the yoke and also through the end portions of the yoke 16 without binding. The spacing of the legs 40 and 42 primarily determines the radius of the U-shaped crown portion 38.

- The length and width of the legs 40 and 42 are dimen- H sioned so that the lower end of the shank 12 will contact the crown portions 38 of the yoke to limit pivotal movement of the shank. The maximum pivotal movement of the shank 12 on either side of the flukes 18 and 20 should be an angle of approximately thirty-five to forty degrees made with a plane parallel to the flukes 18 and 20. e

The legs 40 and 42 of the U-shaped members 34 and 36 preferably are not parallel but diverge at an included angle of five to fifteen degrees and preferably about seven degrees in a direction toward the shank 12 to properly position the flukes 18 and 20, as will be more apparent subsequently. With this positioning of the legs 40 and 42, the radius of the crown 33 tends to be slightly larger at the top than at the bottom but this does not change the efiectiveness of the anchor. The lower edges of the U-shaped members 34 and 36 preferably are below the stock 14 to provide a base for the anchor 10 and enable it to stand up, which facilitates the storing of it by the consumer and also the displaying of it in commercial establishments. I

The open yoke members 34 and 36 have several advantages. They tend to dig into the bottom slightly more than the usual anchor with flat crowns which tend to skid along the top, and by digging in slightly, they slowdown shaped members do not have overhanging crowns or other The flukes 18 and 20 are identical and each comprises a a main'planar portion 46 and a flange portion 48 which terminates in a point 50. 'Lowerend portions of the main portions 46 are welded to opposite sides of. the stock 14: and lower, en'd edges of the flange portions 48 extend across'the top of the stock 14." Asshown in FIG. 3, the I end of the flange portion 48 opposite the point 50is welded to the yoke 16 with the free edge of the flange portion'48 welded to the short leg 40 of one of the=U- shaped members 34 and 36 while the longitudinal edge formed at the bend line for the flange portion 48 is welded to the long leg 42 of the other of the U-shaped members 34 and 36; In this manner, the lower end of the flange portion 48 bridges the endjoint between the legs of the U-shaped members and holds them in place without requiring an additional weld. 1

Each of the main portions 46 has a first side edge '52 opposite the'flanged-edge which is perpendicular to the lower edge and diverges from the flanged edge in a direction toward the point 50. The main portion 45 also has a second side edge 54 extending diagonally between the first side edge 52 and the flanged edge toward the point 50, making: an angle from twenty to forty degrees with the flange portion 48.

. edge opposite the flangeedge which diverges, from the,

flange edge in a directiontoward the point and is perpendicular to the end edge ofsaid main portion, said main 1 portionhaving a secondside edge extending diagonally a between said first side edgei'and theflange edge in a direc-' tion toward the point, end portions of said main portions being atfixed to opposite sides of said stock by weld metal and end edges of said'flange portions extending trans? versely across thetop of said stock; said yoke comprising V ;a pair of substantially identical generally U-shaped yoke members, each having a crown portion and a long leg I and a short leg, said long leg having a hole through which said stock extends, said U-shaped members disposed'in opposed relationship generally 'perpendicular lyto the planes of said main portions of saidvflukes, with the ends of the long legs ofthe U-shaped members abuttingthe.

ends of the short. legs, said yoke legsdiverging transversely at an angle of' aboutfive to fifteen degrees ina direction toward the shankisaid crown portions of said The two flukes 18 and 20 can be easily made from a single rectangular metal plate 56' asshown in FIG. 5 by' cutting the plate 56 in halfalong a diagonal line' 58. I The longer side/edge of each half is thenbent ninetyvdegrees along adotted line 60 to establish the flange portion 48; By establishing the bend along the line 60 to intersect the diagonal line 58, the flange portion 48 includes a short idiagonal'edge just below the point 50 which adds strength and improved penetration tothe point not otherwise available if the bend lines 60 intersectedthe point.

By making the flukes-18 and 20 identical, and by facing them in opposite directionson'each side of the shank 12,'one of the flukes'is always assured or being capable of quickly digging into the bottom and holding regardless which sidelof the anchor is down; Of course, once one fluke begins to dig in, the other'willalso act similarly.

The flukes 18 and 20 preferably diverge in adirection toward the free end of the shank 12 so that the points 50 are spread apart slightly toprovide better stability for the anchor. For this purpose, an included angle of five ,to fifteen degrees, and preferably seven'degrees, is deyoke members being positioned to contact said rod memher where said plates are aifixed and to ,limit pivotal" movement of'said shank .on said stock to a maximum 4 angle of thirty to forty degrees to the planes of the main 1 portions of said flukes,,said flange portions, of said flukes eing affixedby weld metal to the long leg of one of said} yoke members and to the short leg of theother of said, yoke members and bridging the abuttingjoint :between i the legs to. hold said yoke members together and to aid in holding said flukes in, position;

2. A boatanchor comprising a. shank, a stock, apair of flukes, and a yoke, said shank comprising a U-shaped 1 rod member having a pair of diverging legs, means pivotally connecting said rod member to said stock, said fiukes being identical andeach comprising a main planar perj sides of said stock by weld metal and and edges ofsaid flange portions extendingxtransversely across the top of sired between the flange portions 48.; For this. reason,

the legs 40 and 42 of the U-shapedmembers 34 and 36 diverge at an angle of from'five to fifteendegrees and preferably seven degrees to establish the proper positioning of the flukes 18 and 20. V Various modifications of the abovedescr bed embodiof flukes, and a'yoke, said shank-comprising a U-shaped 6 rod member having a pair of diverging legs, a pair of parallel plates welded across opposite sides of the ends of said legs which are spaced from the U-shaped end, said plates having aligned holes therein symmetrically located between said legs, said stock extending through said plate'holes and terminating symmetrically beyond said plates;.said flukes being identical and each comprising a main planar portion and a flange portion terminating in a point, said main portion having a first side ment of the'inventio'n will be apparent to those skilled V tion and a flange portion terminating in a point, endv portions of said main portions being aflixed ,to opposite said stock; said yoke comprising a pair of substantially identical generally U-shaped yoke members, each having I a crown portion and a long leg and, a short leg, said long leg having a hole' through-which said stock extends, said U-shaped members disposed in opposed relationship gen-- erally perpendicularly to the planes of said main portions of said 'flukes, with the ends of. the long legs :ofthe U-shaped members abutting the ends of the short legs, said yoke legs diverging transversely at an angle of about".

five to fifteen degrees in a' direction toward the shank,

tions of saidflukes, said flange portionsof said flukes being aflixed by Weld metal to the long leg of one of said I yoke members and tothe short leg of the otherof saidJ yoke members and bridging the abutting joint between the 1 legs to hold said yoke members together and 'to aidin holding said fiukes in position.-

3. A boat anchor comprising ashank, a stock, a pair of flukes, and a yoke, said shank comprising a U.-shaped rod member having a pair of diverging legs, a pair of I v 1 parallel plates welded across opposite sides of the ends of said legs which are spaced from the U-shaped end,

said plates having aligned .hole's therein symmetrically. located between'gsaid legs, said stock extending through said plate holes and terminating symmetricallybeyond said plates; said flukes being identical and each comprise ing a main 'planarportion and a fiangeportion terminating r r in a point, said main portion having a first side edge opposite the flange edge which diverges from the flange edge in a'direction toward the point and is perpendicular to the end edge of said main portion, said main portion having 'a second side edge extending diagonally between said first side edge and, the "flange edge in a direction toward the point, end portions of said main portions being I aflixed to opposite sides of said stock by weld metal and end edges of said flange portions extending transversely across the top of said stock; said yoke comprising a pair of substantially identical generally U-shaped yoke members disposed in opposed relationship generally perpendicularly to the planes of said main portions of said flukes, said flange portions of said flukes being afiixed by weld metal to said yoke members to aid in holding said flukes in position.

4. A boat anchor comprising a shank, a stock, a pair of flukes, and a yoke, said shank comprising a U-shaped rod member having a pair of diverging legs, means pivotally connecting said rod member to said stock, said flukes being identical and each comprising a main planar portion and a flange portion terminating in a point, end portions of said main portions beingaflixed to opposite sides of said stock by weld metal and end edges of said flange portions extending transversely across the top of said stock; said yoke comprising a pair of substantially identical generally U-shaped yoke members disposed in'opposed relationship generally perpendicularly to the planes of said main portions of said flukes, said flange portions of said flukes being affixedby .weld metal to said yoke members to aid in holding said flukes in position.

5. A boat anchor comprising a shank, a stock, a pair of flukes, and a yoke, said flukes each comprising a main portion and a flange portion, end portions of said main portions being aflixed to opposite sides of said stock by weld metal and the end edges of said flange portions extending transversely across the top of said stock, said yoke comprising a pair of substantially identical generally U-shaped members, each having a crown portion and a long leg and a short leg, said long leg having a hole through which said stock extends, said U-shaped members disposed in opposed relationship generally perpendicularly to the planes of said main portions of said flukes, with the ends of the long legs of the U-shaped members abutting the ends of the short legs, said yoke legs diverging transversely at an angle of about seven degrees in a direction toward the shank, said crown portions of said yoke members being positioned to contact said shank to limit pivotal movement of said shank on said stock to a maximum angle of thirty to forty degrees to the flukes, said flange portions of said flukes being aflixed by weld metal to the long leg of one of said yoke members and to the short leg of the other of said yoke members and bridging the abutting joint between them to hold said yoke members together and to aid in holding said flukes in position.

6. A boat anchor comprising a shank, a stock, a pair of flukes, and a yoke, said yoke comprising a pair of substantially identical generally U-shaped members, each having a crown portion and a long leg and a short leg, said long leg having a hole through which said stock extends, said U-shaped members disposed in' opposed relationship generally perpendicularly to said flukes, with the ends of the long legs of the U-shaped members abutting the ends of the short legs, said yoke legs diverging transversely at an angle of about five to fifteen degrees in a direction toward the shank, said crown portions of said yoke members being positioned to contact said shank to limit pivotal movement of said shank on said stock, said flukes being aflixed by weld metal to the long leg of one of said yoke members and to the short leg of the other of said yoke members and bridging the abutting joint between them to hold said yoke members together and to aid in holding said flukes in position.

7. A boat anchor comprising a shank, a stock, a pair of flukes, and a yoke, said yoke comprising a pair of substantially identical generally U-shaped members, each having a crown portion and a long leg and a short leg, said long leg having a hole through which said stock extends, said U-shaped members disposed in opposed relationship generally perpendicularly to said flukes, with the ends of the long legs of the U-shaped members abutting the ends of the short legs, said crown portions of said yoke members being positioned to contact said shank to limit pivotal movement of said shank on said stock, said flukes being aflixed by weld metal to the long leg of one of said yoke members and to the short leg of the other of said yoke members and bridging the abutting joint between them to hold said yoke members together and to aid in holding said flukes in position.

8. A boat anchor comprising a shank, a stock, a pair of flukes, and a yoke, said yoke comprising a pair of sub stantially identical yoke members, each having a crown portion and a long leg and a short leg, said long leg having an opening which receives said stock, said yoke members disposed in opposed relationship generally perpendicularly to said flukes with the ends of the long legs abutting the ends of the short legs, said flukes being afiixed by weld metal to the long leg of one of said yoke members and to the shortleg of the other of said yoke members and bridging the abutting joint between them to hold said yoke members together and to aid in holding said flukes in position.

9. A boat anchor comprising a shank, a stock, a pair of flukes, and a yoke, said yoke comprising a pair of substantially identical yoke members, each having a crown portion and a long leg and a short leg, said long leg having an opening which receives said stock, said yoke members disposed in opposed relationship with the ends of the long legs abutting the ends of the short legs, and means for holding said yoke members together.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,633,626 4/53 Danforth 114208X 2,641,215 6/53 Danforth 114- 20s 2,987,028 6/61 Fair 114 20s FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner. 

9. A BOAT ANCHOR COMPRISING A SHANK, A STOCK, A PAIR OF FLUKES, AND A YOKE, SAID YOKE COMPRISING A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL YOKE MEMBERS, EACH HAVING A CROWN PORTION AND A LONG LEG AND A SHORT LEG, SAID LONG LEG HAVING AN OPENING WHICH RECEIVES SAID STOCK, SAID YOKE MEMBERS DISPOSED IN OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ENDS OF THE LONG LEGS ABUTTING THE ENDS OF THE SHORT LEGS, AND MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID YOKE MEMBERS TOGETHER. 